August Travel News in Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos

1. Ha Long Bay and Bai Tu Long Bay offer free and discounted tickets

Commencing on July 17, 2023, a new policy has been enacted to govern free and discounted admission to Ha Long Bay and Bai Tu Long Bay. According to the policy guidelines, specific groups of visitors are granted complimentary access to Ha Long Bay and Bai Tu Long Bay. These groups comprise children under 1.2 meters in height or under 7 years of age, and individuals with severe disabilities.

Moreover, Vietnamese senior citizens aged 60 and above are entitled to a notable 50% discount on admission fees for Ha Long Bay and Bai Tu Long Bay. In addition to the aforementioned groups, young Vietnamese children aged between 7 and 16 years can avail themselves of a favorable 20% discount on entrance fees to Ha Long Bay and Bai Tu Long Bay.

To ensure eligibility for free or discounted admission, visitors are required to present valid identification documents at the designated ticket counters managed by the Ha Long Bay Management Board, located at the tourist wharves. Acceptable identification documents include birth certificates or passports for children, disability certificates for those with severe disabilities, and identity cards or citizen identification cards for senior citizens.

2. Koh Rong prepares to welcome upscale tourists

Despite a slower rainy season this year, which included canceled flights and turbulent weather, tourism operators on the island are eagerly anticipating a promising peak season ahead. The increasing popularity of Cambodia as a standalone destination, without inclusion in package tours with neighboring countries like Laos, Vietnam, and Thailand, is contributing to higher-value tourism growth on Koh Rong. This situation allows the island to attract regional travelers with larger budgets and a preference for sun-soaked beach destinations.

Several new hotels under construction on Koh Rong in 2023 are targeting higher-end tourism, with a focus on 4-star hotels and luxury villas starting at approximately $100 per night. Furthermore, the local government is trying to deploy the completion of essential public infrastructure such as roads, electricity, and lighting networks. Major destinations on Koh Rong are now connected by hard roads, a substantial improvement that facilitates island exploration for tourists and encourages private hotel development. Besides, the construction of Koh Rong's first international airport is underway, expected to be completed by 2027/2028 under the initiative of the Royal Group.

Tourism investors on Koh Rong are very confident about the island’s future as a world-class tourism destination in years to come and expect a fruitful high season as the sun comes out this year.

3. Luang Prabang hosts Vietnam Culture and Tourism Week in October

Arranged under the auspices of the People’s Committee of Dien Bien province, the forthcoming event will serve as a platform to showcase the unique cultural nuances and tourism offerings of Vietnam's northwestern provinces, alongside Ho Chi Minh City and Luang Prabang. The occasion will encompass an exhibition, cultural presentations, sports activities, and immersive tourism experiences.

This collaborative undertaking, jointly orchestrated by Ho Chi Minh City and eight northwestern provinces of Vietnam, is a tangible expression of their concerted tourism development plan spanning from 2020 to 2025.

The overarching purpose of this event is to cultivate a spirit of collaboration, nurture amicable relations, and engender cultural cross-pollination between Laos and Vietnam. A particular emphasis is placed on fortifying economic, trade, and tourism linkages among Vietnam's northwestern provinces, Ho Chi Minh City, Luang Prabang, and the northern provinces of Laos.